Pax Sentinel - Airlines Extend Flight Suspensions to Dubai and Saudi Arabia

Numerous international airlines have extended flight suspensions to Dubai and various cities in Saudi Arabia, with many cancellations now reaching through October 31, 2026. The decisions reflect ongoing regional instability and specific security incidents impacting air travel. In Dubai, Air France has extended its suspension of flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport and Dubai International Airport until October 31. Air Canada has canceled all flights to Dubai until the end of March 2027. Finnair has suspended its Helsinki-Dubai route for the winter season, anticipating no return until at least October 2027. Austrian Airlines, part of the Lufthansa Group, also reported cancellations. Lufthansa itself plans to resume five weekly flights between Dubai and Munich starting October 25, with four weekly flights between Frankfurt and Dubai increasing to five from November 9. United Airlines expects to resume nonstop flights between Newark and Dubai in March 2027, offering full refunds for flights canceled between October 24, 2026, and March 27, 2027. The extended suspensions come despite Dubai International Airport operating at near full capacity, with expectations for traffic to return to high levels in late 2026. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths indicated that several international airlines are facing difficulties securing insurance for operations. Saudi Arabia Cancellations Amid Attacks Flight suspensions to Saudi Arabia have been largely driven by recent attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Saudi authorities extended the airport's closure until October 17, 2026, to conduct safety and operational readiness checks following two Houthi strikes. The second strike on October 11 resulted in one fatality and 11 injuries. Several airlines have announced extensive cancellations to Saudi Arabian cities. KLM has extended suspensions to Riyadh and Dammam through October 31, 2026. Cathay Pacific Airways has canceled flights to Dubai and Riyadh until January 31, 2027. Singapore Airlines has extended cancellations for Singapore-Dubai flights until December 1, 2026, and postponed the launch of services to Riyadh until March 28, 2027. Etihad Airways canceled flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh between October 11 and October 13 due to “regional disruption.” Qatar Airways and Gulf Air have also suspended flights to Riyadh, with Gulf Air’s cancellations extending until October 17. Flydubai suspended flights to Riyadh and Abha until October 14. Riyadh Air canceled numerous domestic and international flights, including those to Dubai, London, and Cairo, for October 12 and 13. The airline is offering affected passengers rebooking options for travel within 21 days of their original date or full refunds. Delta Air Lines delayed its inaugural flight between Atlanta and Riyadh until March 2027.

A Saudi Arabian Airlines jet burns at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport following a Houthi missile strike.